I came to Turkmenistan looking for something different. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for myself, I just knew I was looking for something that made me go, “Now isn’t that interesting.” Well, Ashgabat delivered in oh-so-many levels.

In 2018 and my tour group was lucky enough to be the only foreigners to attend the Nowruz Festival in Turkmenistan. This year was also the very first time that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the President of Turkmenistan himself, would attend the festival. We were told that this was a big deal.

For many in our group, Darvaza Crater was THE reason to visit Turkmenistan. One can argue that it’s the only legit tourist sight in the whole country. For me? It was the icing on the cake. A fitting end to a week of wonderful encounters, eyebrow-raising moments, and the most memorable travel experience.